sound out
B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words
To carefully ask someone what they think about something before you do it officially.
Literal meaning: To produce a sound going outward — the figurative 'probe discreetly' sense is an idiomatic leap.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To discreetly enquire about someone's opinions or intentions before making a formal approach.
"The party leader quietly sounded out senior colleagues before announcing the new policy."
Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral
To pronounce the individual sounds or letters of a word, especially when learning to read.
"If you don't know the word, try to sound it out letter by letter."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Common in both British and American English, especially in business, politics, and diplomatic contexts. Can also mean to pronounce each sound of a word individually, especially when teaching reading.
Commonly used with
opinion colleagues investors voters potential client idea
Forms
Base
sound out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sounds out
he/she/it
Past simple
sounded out
yesterday
Past participle
sounded out
have + pp
-ing form
sounding out
continuous
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Synonyms
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